Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (both at lectern) recently discussed security concerns and details with the City and the operator of the Ozone Park Laurel Hill homeless shelter.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Area elected officials on Friday met with representatives from the City Department of Homeless Services, Lantern Community Services, and the NYPD to discuss security measures regarding the Ozone Park Laurel Hall homeless shelter located at 85-15 101st Ave., as it opens its doors to new residents.
During the confab, shelter service provider Lantern assured State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), and Ciara Donley of Councilman Eric Ulrich’s (R-Ozone Park) office, that it has begun to develop its role as a cooperative Ozone Park community partner.
Security details discussed during the meeting included: six security officers on site at all times; 69 video cameras inside and outside of the facility; frequent contact with the 102nd Precinct; on-site case management and employment services; and a 24-hour community phone number.
Lantern also indicated that it intends to be present at local community meetings to introduce themselves and answer any questions regarding the shelter.
The temporary housing shelter began welcoming single men in February, and over a period of time it will host a maximum of 113 residents, according to Lantern.
Last June, the de Blasio administration sparked uproar in the area when a City official indicated that DHS had already notified elected officials and the community board that “we’re opening a new shelter [at] 85-15 101st Avenue, Ozone Park, for 113 single adult males with mental illness.”
Following several rallies, demonstrations, a lawsuit, and even a hunger strike, administration officials recently informed the Ozone Park community that the Laurel Hall shelter population would not include men with mental illness.
